Vol. 3 Issue 7

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Note from Crista

Hi,

I made a new best friend this week.

It’s Maya, my roommate’s dog. I never knew that dogs could be so much fun. We go on long adventures together as we walk (and run) all around town.

I get to have my exercise and have fun all at the same time. Now I know why people have dogs. I feel like I just had a doggie epiphany!

All smiles,
Crista

Feature Article

Ten things you MUST know before you write to your boyfriend in bootcamp!

By Crista Beck

Your boyfriend will be homesick. Very, very homesick and knowing bootcamp, he’s probably getting his butt kicked on a daily basis. So write him lots of letters…..but you need make sure that you follow some simple rules or your letters could turn into a source of problems for your boyfriend.

Within the barracks the Drill Instructors do the mail call. The last thing your boyfriend is going to want is to be embarrassed by any of the mail he receives. The Drill Instructors will let everyone know your boyfriend received something that doesn't meet their standards. So save your boyfriend some grief and follow these simple tips.

Tip #1: Only send him pictures that you would feel comfortable showing your grandma.
It’s ok to send photos, but you have to realize that boyfriend may not be the only one seeing it. I hear that if your boyfriend gets a photo in the mail he is forced to show them to his superior. Any “inappropriate” photos are confiscated.

Tip #2: Do not put anything on the outside of the envelope.
That means stickers, doodles, funny nicknames, smiley faces, little messages, or decorations. If your boyfriend gets a letter that is covered with any of these things this with draw attention to him from his Drill Instructor and could potentially result in more pushups for him.

Tip #3: If you do send cards, send them in white envelopes, not colored ones.

Tip #4: Get his address right.
So many boyfriends don’t get their mail from their girlfriends because she had the address wrong. When addressing the envelope, make sure you put his last name first. Your boyfriend will have to be put into a unit before he will have an address. As soon as he gets into his unit and knows his address he will be able to write to you to let you know.

Tip #5: Don’t spray perfume on his letters. This could only create negative attention.

Tip #6: Date your letters.
Sometimes mail can pass each other and the letter sent on Thursday gets to him before the letter that was sent on Tuesday. What you can do is date the letters as well as in small print on the back of the envelope. This way your boyfriend will know the order they were written in.

Tip #7: No lipstick kisses on the envelope! I know that you just want to express yourself, but try to resist.

Tip #8: Never write depressing letters.
You boyfriend is having a hard enough time dealing with bootcamp so try to keep your letters uplifting. Have it be your job to cheer up his day.

Tip #9: Only use white envelopes. Again, anything different will just get your boyfriend negative attention.

Tip #10: Get creative.
It may get difficult to write a letter every day, but there are so many other things you can send him that will have him know that you are thinking about him, i.e., pictures, cards, jokes, newspaper articles, drawings, cartoons, and online articles. You can even send group letters from all of your friends or family.

Remember that your boyfriend is in Basic Training and he won’t have much time to write. He’ll be up at 0500 and to bed at 2200. So don’t feel bad if he doesn’t write to you as much as you would like him to. Just know that by writing to him, you are making his day.

My Boyfriend is going to Bootcamp. What’s the best way to stay close?

Question: Crista, My boyfriend is in the army and this summer he will be leaving for basic training for 3-4 months. We are super close and love each other and want to have a future…but my question is: Do you have any ideas on how to help me get through the 3 months? I will be able to write him but not see him. It is going to be hard. I want to make sure we stay close. - Michelle

Crista’s Answer: Michelle, this time apart can be a very romantic and memorable time in your relationship.

My grandfather was in the Navy during WWII and my grandmother used to tell me all kinds of fun and romantic stories of when they used to be able to see each other.

In my bedroom I actually have the picture of my grandmother that my grandfather used to carry along with him as he served during the war. Having that tiny little picture reminded him of the love that he had waiting for him back home.

Bootcamp will be a very difficult time for your boyfriend and one of the best ways you can love him will be to send him letters. I wrote the article above just for you Michelle, to give you some helpful hints.

Sometimes it can be difficult staying close while you are physically apart, long-distance relationships are not easy, but it will only be for a few months. Before he leaves, plan the date that the two of you will see each other again. Then you will have something to look forward to and plan on.

Supporting him and writing to him is important, and so is YOUR life.

You need to keep your life interesting while he is gone, so that you have something interesting to write to him about. Right?? What kind of adventures do you think would make good reading material for your boyfriend? You can create a whole new and interesting life for yourself while he is gone.

This time apart could also be time for you to discover yourself and your talents. Has there been anything you have been dying to try, learn, or experience?

This is the time to connect with your girlfriends. And if you don’t have any, make some. Take a girlie weekend away or join a class together. Nurturing your friendships is important.

Have a question for Crista?

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Crista Beck, Author of 1001 Questions to Ask Your Boyfriend & and Founder of Love Your Boyfriend

Crista Beck is devoted to helping women make healthy choices in romantic relationships. After launching Love-Your-Boyfriend.com in just 2009, she has grown it into a website which reaches thousands of women each and every day.

She is committed to assisting women understand men, express love for their boyfriends, and to love themselves.

To learn more about Crista’s website go to:
www.Love-Your-Boyfriend.com

To learn more about Crista’s eBook, go to:
1001 Questions to Ask Your Boyfriend